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Heidt launches his defense

SPRINGFIELD — The defense began presenting its case Tuesday afternoon in the murder trial of an Effingham County man accused in the shotgun slayings of his father, and brother in August 2008.

Craig Heidt also has been charged for the shooting of his mother, Linda Heidt, who survived the attack and called 911 for help after being shot in the face about 3 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008.

Defense attorney Dow Bonds began his case after Effingham County Superior Court Judge F. Gates Peed denied a defense motion to dismiss the state’s case against his client saying it was based only on circumstantial evidence.

In testimony earlier in the day, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Eugene Howard testified the case was originally a “whodunit,” with the only surviving witness, Linda Heidt, able to provide little in the way of a description of the shooter.

“She said he was slender,” Howard said, adding she said she could only see the assailant from the waist down.

Howard said Craig Heidt’s falsehoods helped lead him to determine he would be arrested for the crimes.

“It was when he told me the grand lie about the bruises,” Howard said.

Howard told the jury that the Friday after the Aug. 25, 2008, shootings, he asked Craig Heidt to remove his shirt to check for bruises that can happen after firing a shotgun.

Previous law enforcement testimony has indicated the shootings were committed with a 12-gauge shotgun.

“Prior to (removing shirt) he started to explain away the bruises,” Howard said. “He said the bruises had happened the day before when he fell in the bathroom of his brother, Chris Heidt’s home.”The brown-colored bruises on each arm in the upper bicep area didn’t appear fresh to Howard, he said.

Dr. Jamie Downs, coastal regional medical examiner for the GBI, testified the bruises were at least three days old and consistent with someone firing a shotgun.

Cathy Heidt, sister-in-law of Philip Heidt, testified she was in the kitchen at the home of Chris Heidt, possibly the Thursday after the murders, when Craig reported falling in the bathroom.

“I heard a ‘little bump,’” she said. “Craig came out and asked if we had heard him fall.”

Agent Howard also later went to Chris Heidt’s home and videotaped a demonstration of Craig Heidt describing his fall.

Dr. Downs said that description didn’t mesh with the injuries. “No way, with that fall,” he said.

Howard also testified the murders scene appeared staged.“It was clear-cut. Break-in, kill every soul in the residence, burn it and leave,” Howard said.

In previous testimony, law enforcement reported that cash and jewelry was left out in plain sight and not taken during the incident at the Heidt home.

Officers at the scene also reported an “overwhelming” smell of gasoline in the home, with the floors slippery from the liquid.Howard said the only items reported missing from the home on Springfield-Egypt Road were a shotgun, boots and coveralls, reported belonging to one person — Craig Heidt.

Craig Heidt told officers he had the missing items in a shed near the house.